Willie and a small party of family and friends recently did The Whale Trail hiking route in the Southern Cape. Unlike the gruelling and spectacular Otter Trail (See the Here Be Dragons post) which this group hiked last year, The Whale Trail is a somewhat gentler – and more civilized – hike. It is “slackpacking” with most of your stuff being transported for you in crates from one hut to the next. This means that you only need carry a day pack with food, water and anything you might need during the day. Then there are little cottages (mostly stone or brick) to stay in each night – with hot showers.

Coming soon on this blog is a series of posts on The Whale Trail, so you can follow in the footsteps of our energetic hikers and experience some of what they did.

. . . but alas NO whales. Even though it is called The Whale Trail, this was the wrong time of year to see whales off this coastline. According to CapeNature (the nature conservation organization in the Western Cape)

De Hoop is world-renowned as one of the best whale-watching spots. Between June and December, this coastline is transformed into one of the world’s most important nursery areas for southern right whales.

Whale watchers regularly stand in awe at the sight of more than 50 of these sea giants lying a mere kilometre from the coast.

And at the end of the series, you will still be fresh and rested, unlike these hikers . . .

Thanks Laura – Willie will be happy to hear that! 🙂 He took with him the small compact camera that I often use. Told him it was on condition that he take lots of pretty pictures. He did such a great job, that I’m now having trouble selecting photos for the blog.

It looks like it would be a spectacular walk – the photos are stunning!
Are these hikes an option during the winter months? I’m sure the scenery would be just as breathtaking – and then you’d also have the pleasure of enjoying it for yourself.
Looking forwards to the rest of the series 🙂

I’m sorry to hear that you are not feeling so great. Definitely 😦
It’s difficult to climb out of a rut when in the depths of one, but the day will come that will make it seem a breeze to step out of it. Take it easy, and don’t worry about not posting – we all know that when you are ready to return to the blogs that it’ll be oh so worth it! We’ll all be here for you 🙂